The Power of Love

In 1985, Huey Lewis and the News belted out the lyrics: “You don’t need money, don’t take fame, don’t need no credit card to ride this train.  It’s strong and it’s sudden and it’s cruel sometimes, but it just might save your life.  That’s the power of love.  That’s the power of love.”  This was the chorus to the hit song in the blockbuster movie, Back to the Future.
The New Year provides an excellent opportunity for us to reflect on the previous 365 days.  What went well?  What really stunk?  What could have gone better?  Usually this assessment includes typical goals like weight loss, increased exercise, better time management skills, consistent homeschool lessons, daily Bible study, focused business building, homecooked meals, more family dinners, consistent prayer time, special family vacations, a cleaner house, a larger savings account, much less debt, better communication skills ect…  The list goes on and on.  All great goals.  All worthy of our time and attention.
A year ago this week, I met with two dear friends and we made vision boards for the upcoming year.  My board was filled with many of the goals mentioned above.  As I glued the pictures on the board, and wrote each careful goal in colorful ink, my board still looked dull and boring compared to my comrades.  When I was putting the finishing touches on the board, I decided to add pictures of my family members.  That was just the thing my vision board needed.  Finally, I was happy with the finished product.
I hung the board up in my bedroom where I would see it every day and would be reminded of all of these goals.  I had a plan.  I had a vision.  I had goals.  Now I was ready to teach, lose weight, pray, cook, study God’s Word, clean, save money, exercise reduce debt, communicate and plan vacations.  It was going to be an excellent and very productive year!
The following Sunday, I found myself on a flight to Indianapolis to see my dad who was critically ill in the hospital.  This was the beginning of two months of traveling back and forth from Panama City to Indy.  Two months of watching in awe as my dad fought with every ounce of strength and courage he had to overcome the enemy; lung cancer. Ultimately, lung cancer won the battle and on March 6, 2017, my dad, passed from this world into his heavenly home.
During those two months my dreams and goals seemed to sit around collecting dust.  I actually taught less, exercised less, spent less time with my kids, had few family dinners, acquired more debt, saved nothing, didn’t cook or clean, barely communicated with anyone other than my dad, and time management skills were totally out the window.  But none of that mattered because…I loved.  I wouldn’t trade one second of that treasured time I had with my dad, for anything in this world.  I’m so thankful, not for the enemy named cancer, but for the precious gift of time I had with my dad, which ironically was given to me because that heartless enemy reared its ugly head.
So, as you sit down and reflect on the past twelve months and make goals for the next twelve, remember to place love at the top of that list.  Spend time with people you love. Reach out to people you love.  Forgive people you love.  Love your spouse, your children, your parents, your friends.  Love your neighbor, the stranger and even your enemy. Love the unlovable.  Love because God is love, and we are made in His image.  Love just for the sake of loving.  Teach your children to love.  Love those who look like you, act like you, and believe like you, but also love those who dislike you, detest your lifestyle, and despise your convictions.  Show love to all mankind.  Love freely. Love selflessly.  Love abundantly.  Love without expectations.  Remember the ultimate goal is Love, because the Power of Love truly is a curious thing…